The situation when the refrigerator Atlant finds itself in an awkward position due to the direction of the door opening is familiar to many owners of this popular equipment. It often happens that when moving or remodeling a kitchen, it turns out that the door rests against the wall, furniture, or simply interferes with free passage. Fortunately, the design of most models of this brand provides the ability to change the opening side.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process hanging the doorwhich you can do yourself without calling a technician. You will learn about the nuances of dismantling fittings, adjusting gaps and the peculiarities of working with magnetic latches. This will not only save your budget, but will also allow you to adapt the equipment to your ergonomics.
Before you start working, you need to make sure that your unit is a model with this function. Almost all modern two-chamber and single-chamber refrigerators Atlant have universal hinges. However, older Soviet models or specific industrial series may not support this option. Carefully inspect the ends of the case: if holes for fastenings are visible on the opposite side, then the procedure is available to you.
Preparation for work and necessary tools
Any technical operation requires preliminary preparation of the workplace and tools. To rehang the door you will need a standard DIY kit. The main tool will be screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers with Phillips and flat slots. You may also need wrenches if the hinge bolts are too tight.
It is important to ensure that the refrigerator is in a stable position during operation. The door is a heavy element, and its distortion can lead to the fall of the entire unit. Therefore, before starting dismantling, it is recommended to fix the legs or ask an assistant to hold the body.
- 🔧 A screwdriver or a set of screwdrivers (phillips and flathead).
- 🔑 Wrenches (usually 8, 10 or 13 mm).
- 🧤 Work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges.
- 🧹 Soft rags for wiping the seal.
Don't forget to clear the door shelves of food and removable elements. This will significantly reduce the weight of the structure and protect your supplies from falling. If there are decorative plugs on the door, it is also better to prepare them for removal in advance.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply! Remove the plug from the socket to avoid short circuit or electric shock if you accidentally damage the wiring that may be located near the hinges.
Dismantling the top hinge and removing the door
The process starts from the top of the refrigerator. This is where the main load-bearing hinge is attached, which supports the weight of the entire door structure. First you need to remove the decorative cover, if your model has one Atlant. Usually it snaps onto plastic clips or is held on by one screw.
After removing the cover, the upper hinge mechanism will be revealed to your view. In some models, wiring leading to the display or light bulb on the door may also be located here. Be extremely careful: electrical cable do not pull or bend too much. If the wire is in the way, carefully disconnect the connector, having previously photographed its position.
Now you can unscrew the bolts securing the upper hinge. There may be two or three, depending on the modification. Use a suitable bit to avoid stripping the screw heads. After the bolts are unscrewed, the hinge should be removed. The door is now supported only by the lower support and magnetic lock, so it can easily move.
☑️ Removing the upper part
To safely remove the door, it is better to involve a second person. One should hold the door, and the second should carefully lift it to remove it from engagement with the lower bushing. Sudden movements are unacceptable, as you can damage sealing rubber or scratch the case.
Removing and rearranging the lower support
After the door has been removed and set aside in a safe place, attention turns to the bottom of the refrigerator. Here is the support sleeve into which the door pin fits. In most models Atlant this bushing is installed in the hole intended for the right side.
It is necessary to unscrew the lower support bushing. It can be pressed or simply inserted into the groove. If the bushing fits tightly, you can slightly pry it with a flat-head screwdriver, but without excessive force, so as not to damage the plastic of the case. After removal, the part is rearranged into a symmetrical hole on the other side.
In the vacated hole from which the sleeve was removed, it is often necessary to install a plastic plug, which was included in the kit or was already installed on the opposite side. This is necessary for aesthetics and to protect the case from dust. Make sure that the new support fits evenly and tightly.
| Element | Location (Standard) | Location (After change) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper hinge | Top right | Top left | Carrying, door holding |
| Bottom bushing | Bottom right | Left bottom | Support, centering |
| Door stop | Left in the corner | Right in the corner | Fixation of the closed position |
| Decorative plugs | On free holes | On free holes | Protection and appearance |
If on your model the lower support is not a bushing, but a metal pin screwed in into the bottom, the procedure is similar: unscrew the pin on one side and screw it into the prepared threaded hole on the other. The thread can be lightly lubricated with machine oil for ease of installation.
Working with a magnetic lock and stoppers
One of the most important points when re-hanging is rearranging the door locking mechanism in the closed position. In refrigerators Atlant this is done by a magnetic lock or mechanical stop located in the lower corner of the case opposite the hinges.
You need to find this element at the current mounting location (usually it is visible as a plastic or metal cylinder in the corner). Gently unscrew it or pull it out if it is held on by latches. Then move this element into a symmetrical hole on the other side. It is this mechanism that ensures the door fits tightly and prevents it from opening spontaneously.
What to do if the stopper does not go into place?
Sometimes the holes may be closed with factory grease or have burrs. Carefully clean out the hole and check if you have mixed up the upper and lower stops if they have different shapes.
Also pay attention to the mating part of the lock, which may be located on the door itself. If the design involves rearranging the magnet or the response plate on the door leaf, perform a similar operation: unscrew the fasteners on one side and secure them on the other. This will ensure correct operation sealing system.
Installing the door on the new side
Now that all preparation elements have been completed, you can begin installation. Take the door and carefully place its bottom end onto the previously installed support sleeve. Make sure that the door pin fits exactly into the center of the bushing. This requires some precision and, possibly, the help of a partner.
After the door is seated on the lower support, align it with the body. The top part should be pressed against the end of the refrigerator. Now is the time to install the top hinge in its new location. Insert the loop into the grooves and tighten the fastening bolts.
Do not tighten the bolts immediately until they stop. First, make sure that the door is level, the gaps around the perimeter are the same, and nothing interferes with its free movement. Only after a visual check can you finally tighten fasteners the upper loop. If you disconnected the wires, now you need to connect them and place them in the intended channels.
Check the operation of the door: it should open smoothly, without jerking, and close tightly with a characteristic click of a magnetic lock. If the door closes too tightly or, conversely, does not hold the magnet, additional adjustment of the position of the hinges will be required.
Adjusting gaps and eliminating distortions
Sometimes after installation the door may warp. This results in uneven gaps between the door and frame or one side of the door protruding more than the other. To eliminate this defect, adjustment is provided in the design of the hinges.
Loosen the upper hinge mounting bolts slightly so that the door has minimal freedom of movement. By moving the door left and right or back and forth, achieve a symmetrical position relative to the walls of the refrigerator. It is especially important that the seal fits equally tightly around the entire perimeter.
⚠️ Attention: If after adjustment the door still does not fit tightly at the bottom, the problem may be the wear of the seal or deformation of the body itself. In this case, simple re-weighting will not help - you will need to replace the tires or align the geometry.
Also check the operation of the stopper. If the door does not close completely or bounces, try changing the position of the magnetic lock slightly or placing a thin washer under it. Fine tuning requires patience, but the result is worth it: correct heat transfer directly depends on the tightness of the chamber.
Frequent errors and nuances of different models
When performing work, beginners often make common mistakes. One of them is the loss of fasteners. Hinge bolts Atlant often have a specific thread or length, so replacing them with random screws from the garage can lead to stripping the threads in the body. Always use original fasteners.
Another common mistake is ignoring wiring. In models with a display on the door (series Atlant XM and similar), the cable runs through the entire height of the door. When re-hanging, it must be carefully transferred to new channels. If the cable is stretched, it may break when opening the door.
- 🚫 Do not use excessive force when tightening the bolts into the plastic case.
- 🚫 Do not leave the wires dangling - they can get under the seal.
- 🚫 Do not turn on the refrigerator immediately if working with wiring - let the system stabilize.
It is worth mentioning models with the No Frost system. The door in them may be heavier due to additional structural elements, so you should definitely not neglect the help of a second person during installation. Also, in such models, it is important not to damage the temperature sensors if they are located in the hinge area.
Do you need to drain the oil from the compressor before re-hanging?
No, you do not need to drain the oil or freon. Reversing the door is a purely mechanical operation that does not affect the refrigeration circuit or compressor. You are working only with the outer body and attachments.
What to do if the bolts are rusty and cannot be unscrewed?
Use a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40). Apply it to the thread and wait 10-15 minutes. If the head is torn off, try using a screw extractor or carefully drill out the remaining fasteners, being careful.
Is it possible to rehang the door if the refrigerator is built into the kitchen?
This is possible, but much more difficult. You will need to completely remove the refrigerator from the niche, remove the top panel of the kitchen cabinet (if there is one) and provide access from all sides. It is often easier to remove the doors of a kitchen unit than to pull out the built-in unit.
Why did the door begin to open on its own after rehanging?
Most likely, the refrigerator is not level. For proper operation, the door should open on its own only at an angle of more than 90 degrees, and close tightly when closed. Check the adjustment of the legs: the front of the refrigerator should be slightly higher than the back so that the door closes under the influence of gravity.
Does re-hanging affect the warranty?
According to the law, re-hanging the door yourself does not void the warranty if the refrigerator components (hinges, wiring, body) were not damaged in the process. However, if you break the thread or break the plastic, this particular defect will not be considered a warranty case.